We arrived at the park just as the late afternoon sun began to dip, casting long, golden shadows across the grass. It was lined with beautiful, lush trees. I got out of the car, breathing in the fresh, crisp air as Eric found a parking spot. The park was vastly empty, aside from a few sets of people walking their dogs or jogging in the distance. It felt like the nature had cleared the stage just for us.
Eric got Finn out of his car seat first, then grabbed the heavy picnic basket. I stepped up beside him, looping my arm through his, and we started walking deeper into the park toward a secluded cluster of oaks. There was a weight to the way he walked—steady, confident, yet somehow more relaxed than I had ever seen him.
I pulled the picnic blanket from the top of the basket, about to sprea
